History of the Peloponnesian War · Chapter
Book III explained
Book III of Thucydides' History covers the revolt of Mitylene, the siege and fall of Plataea, the Corcyraean revolution, and early Athenian campaigns including the occupation of Pylos.
What happens
Book III of Thucydides' History covers the revolt of Mitylene, the siege and fall of Plataea, the Corcyraean revolution, and early Athenian campaigns including the occupation of Pylos. It explores the brutal realities of war, the breakdown of civic order, and the moral debates surrounding justice and expediency.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Empire
Athens' brutal suppression of Mitylene and the debate over whether to execute all men or only the leaders highlights the ruthless logic of imperial power.
Human Nature and Morality
The Corcyraean revolution exemplifies how war strips away civil norms, leading to atrocities and the redefinition of honor and justice.
Characters to notice
- Cleon
Argues for the execution of all Mitylenian men; represents Athenian imperial harshness.
- Diodotus
Opposes Cleon's motion, advocating for a more moderate punishment of Mitylene.
- Paches
Athenian commander who captures Mitylene and oversees the initial punishment.
- Alcidas
Spartan commander who fails to support the Mitylenian revolt effectively.
- Demosthenes
Athenian general who fortifies Pylos and begins operations that lead to the capture of Spartan forces.
Key passages
“The sufferings which revolution entailed upon the cities were many and terrible...”
The civil strife that broke out in many cities caused immense suffering, as people turned against each other in brutal and unprecedented ways.
Thucydides reflects on the universal horrors of stasis (civil war), using Corcyra as a prime example.
“The Athenians, accordingly, put to death the Mitylenians whom they had brought home...”
The Athenians executed the Mitylenian prisoners they had taken to Athens, following the initial decree.
Describes the aftermath of the Mitylenian debate, where the first harsh decision was carried out before the second ship could arrive.
“The Plataeans, after their surrender, were put on trial by the Spartans...”
After Plataea surrendered, the Spartans conducted a trial of the Plataeans, which was essentially a formality leading to their execution.
Highlights the Spartan destruction of Plataea, a long-standing ally of Athens, as an act of political and military expediency.